§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what is his policy in respect of the availability for sale of organic produce within Refreshment Department outlets; what organic produce is currently obtained; and if he will make a statement. [49859]
§ Mr. Dennis TurnerThis is a matter which has been kept under review by the Refreshment Department for several years. At present, the Department does not maintain a specific policy concerning the use of organic foods in its catering operations, but is always pleased to purchase such food when supplies are available in 207W sufficient quantity, at the right quality and at a price which provides good value for money. One such example is the recent addition to the Refreshment Department's nominated supplier list of the Village Bakery at Melmerby in Cumbria, whose products are certified to be 95 per cent. organic.
There are two particular obstacles to the Refreshment Department instigating a policy of discrimination in favour of the use of organic foods. The first is the difficulty of supply: most organic producers are small organisations which primarily supply into the retail food market and not into the large scale catering market. The second is the question of economics: the cost of organic produce is generally significantly higher than the price of similar non-organic foods and, on occasions where organic produce has been tested, customers of the Refreshment Department have generally demonstrated a reluctance to pay the higher prices necessitated by the use of organic foods. However, I am advised that the Refreshment Department will continue to keep this matter under review.